Hand tool

ABSTRACT

A tool case includes a first housing member defining a plurality of receptacles for storing a plurality of fastener driving bits. A second housing member defines a recess for receiving a drive guide accessory. The first housing member is pivotally coupled to the second housing member. A wire stripper assembly includes a first stripper portion member coupled to the first housing member and a second stripper member coupled to the second housing member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/509,925, filed on Jul. 20, 2011, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to hand tools, and in particular, to multi-function hand tools.

A multi-functional hand tool allows a user to perform a combination of tasks, such as wiring and fastener driving, without having to switch tools. Multi-functional hand tools may be configured to receive multiple fastener types. Fasteners come in a variety of fastener head configurations that require a variety of bit configurations. A drive guide can be used to hold a selected bit and fastener simultaneously while driving the fastener into a workpiece.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides a tool case. The tool case includes a first housing member defining a plurality of receptacles for storing a plurality of fastener driving bits. A second housing member defines a recess for receiving a drive guide accessory. The first housing member is pivotally coupled to the second housing member. A wire stripper assembly includes a first stripper portion member coupled to the first housing member and a second stripper member coupled to the second housing member.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a tool case. The tool case includes a first housing member defining a plurality of receptacles for storing a plurality of fastener driving bits. A second housing member defines a recess for receiving a drive guide accessory, wherein the first housing member is pivotally coupled to the second housing member and the plurality of bits are retained within the plurality of receptacles when the second housing member is closed against the first housing member. The plurality of bits are accessible from the plurality of receptacles when the second housing member is pivoted away from the first housing member. A wire stripper assembly includes a first stripper portion member coupled to the first housing member and a second stripper member coupled to the second housing member.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front side of a hand tool according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along section line 2-2 of a backside of the hand tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along section line 2-2 of the hand tool of FIG. 2 with a bit drive guide removed.

FIG. 4 is an open perspective view of the hand tool of FIG. 1.

Before any constructions of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other constructions and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a hand tool, more specifically, a multi-function tool case 10. The tool case 10 includes a housing body 14 formed by first housing member 18 and a second housing member 22. The first housing member 18 has a first end 21 and a second end 23, and the second housing member 22 has a first end 24 and a second end 25. The first end 21 of the first housing member 18 is pivotally coupled to the first end 24 of the second housing member 22 about a pivot pin 26 disposed along a pivot axis 30. Referring to FIG. 2, a coil spring 34 is disposed about the pivot pin 26. The coil spring 34 engages the first housing member 18 and the second housing member 22, such that the first housing member 18 is biased toward the second housing member 22.

Referring to FIG. 2, the housing body 14 includes a socket 38 for receiving a fastener-driving bit 40 or a bit holder such as a drive guide 78, as described below. In the illustrated construction, the socket 38 is formed within the first end 21 of the first housing member 18. In other constructions the socket 38 may be formed within the second housing member 22. In the illustrated construction, the socket 38 has a hexagonal cross-sectional profile 42, such as for receiving a standard ¼″ hexagonal shank bit or bit holder. In other constructions, the socket 38 may have a square cross-sectional profile, such as for receiving bits with a square shank profile. The socket 38 may include various bit-retention means, such as a magnet, a resilient member, a spring clip, a ball detent, etc. When using a bit 40 or a bit holder within the socket 38 to drive a fastener (not shown), the housing body 14 serves as a handle for the user.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, a first stripper member 46 is coupled to the second end 23 of the first housing member 18. A second stripper member 50 is coupled to the second end 25 of the second housing member 22. The first stripper member 46 and the second stripper member 50 may be a first metallic insert and a second metallic insert, respectively. Together, the first stripper member 46 and the second stripper member 50 form a wire stripper assembly 54, as shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, the wire stripper assembly 54 defines apertures 58 configured for stripping an insulating jacket from a wire (not shown). Each aperture 58 is defined by a pair of semi-circular cutouts 62 formed on the opposing stripper members 46 and 50. Each aperture 58 of the wire stripper assembly 54 is a different diameter, to accommodate different wire gauges.

To use the wire stripper assembly 54, the first housing member 18 and the second housing member 22 are pivotally separated, as shown in FIG. 4. A length of wire to be stripped (not shown) is inserted into an appropriately sized aperture 58 and the housings 18 and 22 are pivoted together, as shown in FIG. 1. The wire stripper assembly 54 penetrates the wire insulation, without damaging the underlying conductor. Drawing the wire away from the wire stripper assembly 54 separates the wire insulation from a portion of the wire, thereby exposing a length of conductor.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second housing member 22 includes a wire-bender 66, defined by a lateral aperture 70 extending through the second end 25 of the second housing member 22. To use the wire bender 66, an uninsulated end portion of a wire (not shown) is inserted into the aperture 70. With the uninsulated portion of the wire inserted into the aperture 70, the insulated portion of the wire is bent approximately 90 degrees, thereby forming a wire portion for connecting to a terminal board, switch, or outlet.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tool case 10 further includes a storage recess 74 for a bit holder such as the illustrated drive guide 78 (FIG. 2.). The storage recess 74 is formed in the second housing member 22. Resilient retention clips 82 are integrally formed in the second housing member 22, as shown in FIG. 3. The retention clips 82 are for receiving and retaining the drive guide 78 or other bit holder. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a window 86 is provided in the second housing member 22 for pushing the drive guide 78 out of the storage recess 74.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tool body 14 further includes receptacles 90 for storage of the fastener-driving bits 40. More specifically, the first housing member 18 includes receptacles 90 for receiving the bits 40. With the second housing member 22 closed against the first housing member 18, each bit 40 is retained within a receptacle 90. In order to remove or exchange bits 40, a user pivots the second housing member 22 away from the first housing member 18, as shown in FIG. 4, thereby providing access to the receptacles 90 and allowing for exchange of the bits 40. The bits 40 may be additionally retained within the receptacles 90 by a friction fit with walls of the receptacles 90, by magnets disposed within the receptacles 90, by a resilient member disposed within the receptacles 90, or by other known means.

Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a multi-function tool case. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims. 

1. A tool case comprising: a first housing member defining a plurality of receptacles for storing a plurality of fastener driving bits; and a second housing member defining a recess for receiving a drive guide accessory, wherein the first housing member is pivotally coupled to the second housing member; and a wire stripper assembly including a first stripper member coupled to the first housing member and a second stripper member coupled to the second housing member.
 2. The tool case of claim 1, further comprising a coil spring that engages the first housing member and the second housing member such that the first housing member is biased toward the second housing member.
 3. The tool case of claim 1, wherein one of the first housing member and the second housing member includes a socket for receiving a fastener driving bit in a position of use.
 4. The tool case hand tool of claim 3, wherein the socket has a hexagonal cross-sectional profile.
 5. The tool case hand tool of claim 4, wherein the hexagonal cross-sectional profile receives a ¼″ hexagonal shank bit.
 6. The tool case of claim 1, wherein the first stripper member includes a first metallic insert fixedly coupled to the first housing member, and the second stripper member includes a second metallic insert fixedly coupled to the second housing member.
 7. The tool case of claim 6, wherein the first metallic insert and second metallic insert define a plurality of apertures.
 8. The tool case of claim 7, wherein each aperture is of a different diameter.
 9. The tool case of claim 1, wherein the second housing member includes a wire-bender defined by an aperture extending through the second housing member.
 10. The tool case of claim 1, wherein the second housing member defines a window for pushing the drive guide accessory out of the recess.
 11. A tool case comprising: a first housing member defining a plurality of receptacles for storing a plurality of fastener driving bits; and a second housing member defining a recess for receiving a drive guide accessory, wherein the first housing member is pivotally coupled to the second housing member and the plurality of bits are retained within the plurality of receptacles when the second housing member is closed against the first housing member, and further wherein the plurality of bits are accessible from the plurality of receptacles when the second housing member is pivoted away from the first housing member; and a wire stripper assembly including a first stripper portion member coupled to the first housing member and a second stripper member coupled to the second housing member.
 12. The tool case of claim 11, further comprising a coil spring that engages the first housing member and the second housing member such that the first housing member is biased toward the second housing member.
 13. The tool case of claim 11, wherein one of the first housing member and the second housing member includes a socket for receiving a fastener driving bit in a position of use.
 14. The tool case hand tool of claim 13, wherein the socket has a hexagonal cross-sectional profile.
 15. The tool case hand tool of claim 14, wherein the hexagonal cross-sectional profile receives a ¼″ hexagonal shank bit.
 16. The tool case of claim 11, wherein the first stripper member includes a first metallic insert fixedly coupled to the first housing member, and the second stripper member includes a second metallic insert fixedly coupled to the second housing member.
 17. The tool case of claim 16, wherein the first metallic insert and second metallic insert define a plurality of apertures.
 18. The tool case of claim 17, wherein each aperture is of a different diameter.
 19. The tool case of claim 11, wherein the second housing member includes a wire-bender defined by an aperture extending through the second housing member.
 20. The tool case of claim 11, wherein the second housing member defines a window for pushing the drive guide accessory out of the recess. 